Lincoln County district judges handed down some tough sentences Monday, including a term of 6-10 years for John Barr, 30, of North Platte for attempted sexual assault of a child and aggravated assault of a prisoner.

Barr will serve one year for the assault of a confined person because he got into a fight in jail, but that sentence will run concurrently with the more severe sentence.

Barr was arrested March 19, 2012 after a teenage girl stayed overnight with her friend -- Barr’s stepdaughter. Investigators said Barr assaulted the girl on the couch, touching her inappropriately and trying to pull her pants down.

While Barr was in jail on those charges, he had an argument with another prisoner, Derek Thompson, that elevated into a fist fight, prosecutors said.

As part of a plea arrangement, prosecutors dropped two other charges against Barr – shoplifting and theft by deception.

Deputy Lincoln County Attorney Jennifer Wellan told District Judge Richard Birch that a lengthy prison term would be appropriate.

On the other hand, Defense Attorney Patrick Hays said his client only has a minimal prior record and has issues with attention deficit disorder hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and “just kind of drifted around for awhile.”

Hays asked for probation, but Birch disagreed, saying that probation would not be appropriate.

Barr could have been sentenced to 20 years for the charge. He will get credit for the 173 days he has already spent in the county jail.